–Annual fundraising event supports grants to local students seeking to achieve greatness

(October 10, 2017, Mukwonago) — The Mukwonago Education Foundation Board of Directors hosted a sold out fundraising event at GS Global Resources in Mukwonago on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The theme of this year’s event, “Exploring Global Opportunities,” is part of an annual fundraiser to support students’ learning. The Foundation works in partnership with Mukwonago schools to ensure our students remain competitive in learning and achievement and are ready to work in our global economy.

“The Education Foundation funds new ideas and student opportunities—unfunded by the school district—that would otherwise go unrealized,” Foundation President Jamie Pratt says. “Mukwonago area residents have a tradition of pulling together to achieve more than others. It’s what makes Mukwonago a great place to live. We owe a huge thank you to the entire community for their support of students wanting to explore new and innovative ideas.”

The Education Foundation supports innovation in technology and educational best practices to keep our community’s children competitive and ready for their next step after high school. Examples of innovative technology, personalized learning and unique “school-to-work” experiences like the “School-to-Work” home where students design and build an actual home every other year. This public-private partnership delivers real-life, hands-on experiences that would be impossible for the school district to fund on its own.

John and Annette Thornton, owners of GS Global Resources, were the generous hosts of the event. John provided a short presentation on the growth of the business and the economic impact to the community. Many members of the Mukwonago School District were in attendance as well as strong representation from area businesses, the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. The evening, as well as the growth of the Education Foundation during the past twelve years, was a testament to that effective partnership.

In the twelve years of existence, the foundation has built a record of philanthropic efforts that have bolstered teacher/student grant initiatives and yielded fundraising returns into the tens of thousands. Some key successes have included drone and digital camera purchases, support of the MHS/Rotary School-to-Work house, the One Book-One School art legacy initiative, new band uniforms, SMARTboards, LiveScribe and Echo Pens, the Mukwonago Performing Arts Fund, the IT Academy, and the popular Special Ed business, Jo-2-Go.